Rumors regarding the iPad 3's introduction and release dates began circulating back in December, with many suspecting that the iPad 2 successor would make an appearance in February 2012. However, All Things D has reported that an event to introduce the iPad 3 will take place during the first week of March.

The iPad 3 event will be held in San Francisco, California during the first week of March, according to All Things D. Some suspect that Apple will present its latest tablet at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, where Apple usually makes its huge product announcements.

The iPad 3, which is still not the confirmed name of the tablet, is expected to resemble the iPad 2 as far as shape and size, but differ as far as what's under the hood. The big difference will be the Retina Display, offering a 2048x1536 pixel screen, which is just over 3 megapixels.

While the Retina Display update is a sure thing, many other possible features are up-in-the-air at this point. There are questions floating around in regards to whether the iPad 3 will have a dual or quad-core processor, for instance. The Verge reported that a dual-core processor is the likely answer after supposed iPad 3 back-shell photos leaked, but Bloomberg reported the opposite, claiming the iPad 3 will have a quad-core chip and LTE capabilities.

Other questions remain, such as whether the iPad 3 will have the digital assistant Siri included as well as NFC, an updated camera, and a 128 GB option.

While the iPad 3's features are uncertain to the public for now, questions won't go unanswered for long as Apple prepares for its March introduction. In fact, Apple is currently scrambling to gather apps for the tablet's debut next month.

According to CNET, Apple typically takes its sweet time picking out the perfect apps to show off during introductory events. However, that doesn't seem to be the case this time, as Apple is reportedly in "crunch mode" to find the best apps that show off the new Retina Display. Apple isn't strictly concerned with apps for the debut, though; it's also working to send its best apps to advertising agency TWBA/Chiat/Day for its iPad 3 commercials.

So far, there's no set date for the release of the iPad 3, but if the iPad 3 is anything like the iPad 2, it will launch about a week or so after the debut event in March.

The iPad 3 launch may be exactly what Apple needs after a tough start to 2012. Last month, The New York Times released its second installment to its iEconomy series, which focused on the poor treatment of workers at Apple's suppliers in China. The report, which cited issues like working long hours with extended overtime, poor working conditions that have led to explosions, and crowded living spaces, drew plenty of attention from both Apple and the public.